The problem of infection with parasites is not sufficiently covered in society, so a person begins to be interested in the question of how to identify parasites in the body, only after the worms have alreadycaused serious damage to health.
People are used to not noticing the problem that has arisen until the effects of helminths start to affect their well-being.
In order to start treatment on time, it is important to know how to determine the presence of parasites in the body - these are the symptoms of helminthiasis that we will talk about in the article.
Parasites, their types
Parasites are lower life forms that exist at the expense of the host organism. They can exist on the surface of the skin, affect internal organs, tissues, mucous membranes.
By consuming the nutrients that enter the host's body, protozoa poison the human body with the products of their vital activity.
Depending on the location, there are several main types of parasites:
- endoparasites exist inside the human body (echinococci, lamblia, toxoplasma, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi);
- ectoparasites live on the surface of the body, they can exist in the external environment. Their vital activity is based on absorption from the blood and tissue cells of the host's body. This group includes lice, fleas, ticks, and bedbugs.
Most often pinworms, roundworms, pork tapeworms, cattle tapeworms, lamblia, alveococci, echinococci, large tapeworms come from worms.
The adult body, with all functional systems, is able to prevent certain attacks from parasites.
In the oral cavity, along with the saliva, enzymes are produced which are fatal to worm eggs. The acidic environment of the stomach also serves as a protective system.
<1_img_centerxx>The next protective barrier - for particularly persistent representatives of helminths - is the immune system.
However, in the immature body of children, the protective barriers may not work, which can lead to infection with parasites.
During evolution, endoparasites learned to survive in incredible conditions, adapt to any changes and destroy the body asymptomatically, practically not betraying their presence.
According to studies, it can take several months or even years from the time of infection to the appearance of the first signs of helminthiasis.
To detect infection at an early stage, you need to know how to identify parasites in the human body.
You need to carefully monitor changes in your own body and its signals in order to quickly detect symptoms of helminth waste poisoning and to identify if there are any parasites in the body.
Signs of worm infestation
The presence of parasites in the body always affects the state of human health. But the signs indicating the defeat of protozoa are similar to the symptoms of common diseases.
To find out if parasites are present in the body, a medical examination will allow it.
There are the following groups of signs indicating the infection of the organism:
- intoxication of the body;
- damage to the nervous system;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- skin problems.
Routine exposure to toxic substances produced by parasites can lead to headaches, weakness, nausea and increased fatigue.
There is a slight increase in temperature to 37. 5 for no apparent reason. The work of the immune system is disturbed, which is a consequence of the appearance of colds, intestinal disorders, allergies.
A clear sign of parasite infestation is unreasonable weight loss due to the body's struggle with worms for nutrients.
Children are the most susceptible to this symptom. If the child has significantly lost weight in the usual way of life, then it is urgent to check whether he has helminthiasis.
As a result of prolonged intoxication with toxins from worms, nervousness, depressive states and irritability occur.
Sleep disturbances can be triggered, especially in the middle of the night. At this time, according to human biorhythms, the liver is the most active, and unreasonable awakening can be the result of the body's attempts to get rid of toxic substances.
According to some sources, the reaction of the nervous system to a parasitic intervention is bruxism - teeth grinding during sleep. Many consider this a sign of the presence of parasites in a child, which has not been scientifically confirmed.
The presence of parasites has a negative impact on the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. The worms act on the intestinal wall, causing irritation and inflammation.
As a result, the absorption of nutrients and fatty compounds is reduced. As they travel to the large intestine, the worms cause cramps. During their vital activity, many types of parasites secrete specific substances that cause diarrhea.
Worms come in different shapes and sizes, so they can cause blockage in certain organs, bile ducts and intestines, which leads to constipation.
Located in the small intestine, the parasitic creatures cause gas, bloating, and inflammation. Frequent bloating indicates the presence of microorganisms in the system.
Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract in turn leads to changes in the skin: acne, acne, spots of unknown origin, baldness, papillomas, dermatitis.
Often, parasites are the cause of allergic reactions: hives, rash, eczema. This is because the worms produce a poison that activates the immune system, which causes the body to respond.
If you notice more than one of the changes listed above in yourself or your child, you should immediately contact a doctor to have them checked for the presence of parasites.
A qualified parasitologist will give understandable and accessible instruction (explain how to be controlled, what tests to pass) and, based on the results of the tests, prescribe treatment.
Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of helminthiasis
In the human body, parasites, their larvae and eggs can be localized in different organs. The ability to move around the body, and therefore to be in all of the body's systems, makes it difficult to identify helminths.
At an early stage, parasites can be detected in no more than 15% of patients out of the total number of infected.
How do you know if there are helminths in the body? In order to detect all clinical forms of parasites, complex studies are carried out, combining different methods.
To detect worms in the process of laboratory research, the following biological materials are used:
- feces;
- bile;
- urine;
- sputum;
- some blood;
- muscular;
- perianal and rectal mucus.
The traditional method by which you can check for the presence of protozoa in a child or an adult is the study of the patient's stool.
To do this, you must pass the appropriate scan. This proven method makes it possible to determine the presence of corpses, larvae and eggs of protozoa, to reveal their type.
The immunological method consists of a blood test that detects antigens and antibodies directed against certain types of microorganisms.
Antigens are directly represented by parasites and the toxins they produce, and antibodies (immunoglobulins) are produced against antigens in human blood.
This method is informative, with its help more than 90% of species of parasitic microorganisms can be detected.
As a result of a blood test, it is possible to recognize the parasitic organism and learn about the dynamics of the development of the disease.
The serological method is used at the acute stage of the disease. For this analysis, you must donate blood.
The biofluid will serve as the material in which antibodies against a certain type of parasite can be found.
This method is often used in combination with x-ray, ultrasound and endoscopic examinations.
You can check the body for the presence of parasites through PCR diagnostics. The method makes it possible to detect a specific parasitic organism by means of a specific DNA analysis.
With the help of PCR diagnostics, one can both detect parasites in the test material and predict the further development of the disease.
Less commonly in modern medicine, parasites are detected using bioresonance studies, histological coprograms, hemoscanning, and electroacupuncture.
Each year, new, existing and studied diagnostic methods are developed and improved. This allows you to identify the parasites at a stage when the worms have not yet caused changes in the work of the body.
Modern medicine recommends prophylaxis against parasitic infestations 2 times a year. There are many pharmaceuticals for this.
Before using any drugs, you should consult a doctor, since anthelmintic agents are toxic not only to helminths, but also to the human body.